For this Sunday, December 6th, the focus for our meditation
will be on Courtesy. A friend who recently visited abroad told me about
an experience she and some travel companions had as they boarded a crowded bus
in a major European city. A woman, not
in their group, who was obviously very far along in her pregnancy also boarded
with them. To her utter dismay, none of
the seated passengers offered this woman a seat, and she was forced to cling
precariously to a handhold to keep her balance along the bumpy route. I have recently seen firsthand the increase
in rudeness by drivers on the road and shoppers and travelers in long queues as
they jostle for position. In each
instance their complete lack of Courtesy
for others around them seems born by a sense that they are more entitled or
that the others are somehow less worthy or equal in status. When you think about it, this Discourteousness often appears to be at
the source of so much of the senseless violence that erupts in our world
today. Even if a slight is
unintentional, some people immediately perceive such offense as directed
personally at them as individuals or at a class of people they may
represent. The anger this precipitates
by no means justifies a violent response, but time and again people cite being
treated with a lack of respect and Courtesy
as what triggers them. It is almost
headline-making when someone stops to help a stranger these days by opening a
door, retrieving dropped items, or performing some other random act of kindness. As we enter this hectic holiday season, let
us pause momentarily to meditate on the notion of Courtesy for other people.
Rather than rush senselessly from errand to errand, may we take a moment
to consider if there are others around us who may be in need of some kindness
and Courtesy from their fellow human
beings. During our prayer and meditation
time this week let us ask to be gently reminded to treat others with Courtesy even when we may feel slighted
in return. Through the light and energy
of our prayers may the generous spirit of Courtesy
fill this nation and help ease so many of the tensions we feel at a particularly
busy time of year.
In our efforts this week let us also continue to use the
energy of our prayers and meditation to amplify the light that covers and fills
this nation. As we perform our
meditation this week let us begin by re-energizing the brilliance and power of
the light we create. Just as before,
begin by forming a concentrated ball of light that is so bright it is almost
impossible to look directly at it. Raise
this sphere of light up high over the nation and then let its rays cascade down
to create a solid, impenetrable dome of light that completely covers every inch
of our country. From shore to shore and
border to border let the entire continent be filled with this brilliant, dense
light that will serve to magnify the best and highest qualities of our country
and the people who live across its vast lands.
Please follow the same practice as before: Get centered in
your body, ask to bring in your guides and others who are there to assist us,
and connect to the circle of others participating in this project.
Ask yourself what do I feel in my body when someone
unexpectedly treats me with kindness and Courtesy? How does it feel in my body when I am
motivated to reach out to others around me and treat them with the graciousness
of Courtesy? Then send the energy and intention of those
feelings to the nation.
Be sure to disconnect from the circle at the end and express
thanks for those who have helped us in this effort.
If you have feedback or experiences you would like to share
please let me know via e-mail to kmiritello@gmail.com
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